President Muhammadu Buhari has said the combined efforts of defectors and their backers in the opposition will not distract his administration from the good work it is doing for the benefit and development of Nigeria.

President Buhari, who spoke in Daura on Thursday, August 23, stressed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has the full understanding of Nigeria’s challenges and is encouraged by the support of Nigerians in addressing them, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report.

The president spoke at a lunch with some APC governors accompanied by some members of the national and state assemblies and commissioners.

‘‘We are always encouraged when all our constituents are happy with the work we are doing and our genuine efforts to make sure that what we campaigned for in 2015 is still very much in our minds and we have not lost focus,” Buhari said

Buhari says his administration has not lost focus of what he campaigned for in 2015, photo credit: Bashir Ahmad – Twitter

‘In terms of security, economy and the fight against corruption we have maintained focus. Even the opposition with all their resources cannot fault our identification of Nigeria’s priorities and the efforts being made to better them.

‘‘We will continue to do what we ought to do in the leadership position God has placed us and we thank the constituents for the support.”

On the defections within the major political parties, the president reiterated his earlier message to them: ‘‘for those who have decided to change camp for whatever reason, we wish them good luck.’’

Meanwhile, President Buhari has reportedly ruled out the reinstatement of the former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, who was removed by then-acting president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

The Nation reports that this is despite pressure from some members of the president’s kitchen cabinet.

A source reportedly said the president has no plan to bring back Daura and that the argument has now shifted to the possible retention of the new acting director-general, Mathew Seiyefa.